Ryan hoping Falcons' young o-linemen step up

The likely season-ending injury to right tackle Mike Johnson on Tuesday has made the Atlanta Falcons offensive line even more of a question mark.

So, for obvious reasons, quarterback Matt Ryan is hoping that some young offensive linemen can rise up to the challenge facing them due to their relative inexperience. Lamar Holmes steps in to replace Johnson.

"It's just one of those things where you have to focus when you are in that position. Every team has young guys that have to fill in and step up and play for you. When you are in that position you just have to focus on daily improvement and getting a little bit better every day and trying not to make the same mistakes two days in a row," Ryan told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Everyone will make them; you just have to correct them. We will work really hard on that. We have four games to get out there and get jelled together on the offensive line. And our veteran guys--Justin Blalock, Sam Baker, Garrett Reynolds—those guys will do a really good job of bringing those young guys along."

Of course, Ryan has a vested interest in seeing the line succeed, not only to help keep the Falcons as a leading contender in the NFC, but also to protect is own well-being as he throws behind this line.